This is a blog created to document Grinnell College's SOL's 2014 trip to Guatemala

Day 10: Exploring Antigua

Day 10 (and our second to last day) in Guatemala proved to be a bittersweet day. It was sweet in the fact that we had a very relaxed day and got to spend several hours being “tourists” in the beautiful city of Antigua. It was bitter in that the trip is almost over and I am not quite ready to give up the beautiful scenery and great group of students I have gotten to work with while I have been out here.

Aside from the great opportunity to relax a bit via retail therapy in Antigua day 10 also brought about a great closing activity and next steps workshop led by the in country coordinators. The closing activity included an opportunity to speak with each student and co leader individually to share how I valued and learned from them during the trip. Although, I do not really get emotional during these types of activities, I found myself choking back a lump in my throat as I expressed to each student and in country delegate how much I appreciated learning from them during the trip and building a closer relationship that would extend into the future. I was reminded of how fortunate I am to be around such phenomenal and engaged students and how great it was to work with the in country delegates over the past 9 months.

The next steps activity was also very inspiring because it provided a chance to hear more about what students got out of the trip and equally important, what they planned to bring back to campus. I was impressed by the passion and intentionality students conveyed as they discussed creating partnerships with the groups we visited and discussed lobbying various campus committees to consider where food and other items come from. Additionally, students demonstrated tremendous creativity in discussing art based projects they wanted to bring back to campus.

It will definitely be hard to say goodbye to beautiful Guatemala, the in country coordinators and the group in this setting, but I am definitely excited to get back to Grinnell and cross paths with the wonderful students I have gotten to know better these past 10 days and continue to work with them as we share this phenomenal experience we had together!!

Today has been one of the most chill day of the whole trip. We woke up to sing “las mananitas” to Jonathan, one of the coordinators. We then went to breakfast which was great, with birds and flowers and mother nature. The canaries reminded me of when I had my own canaries, which was a very special moment for me. I could still whistle and talk to the canary which was good. Then we went to the shops to buy souvenirs and explored the city however we wanted to. My group was Amy, Cassie and me exploring all of the artsy stores that we can find plus sneaking in and out of “mercaditos” which were not so little. We also took photos and enjoying one of our last hot days of this month.

When we return we had one of our last reflection which was more of a time to showed what we appreciated about each other. I personally like this activity of reflecting what we learn about ourselves in this trip. For me, it was that I connected to strangers very fast that I did not wanted to admitted to myself until now. When we were thanking and saying what we learn from each other, the occurring theme for me was being hilarious (I did not said it, it was my team), how I connected to the people, how kind I was, and how honest and a team player I was. After this very touchy reflection, we talk about the initial words that we define in our first day in Guatemala City. Which is crazy how fast time went. We then apply those words with how we saw it in our trip.

After this we went to Fridas restaurant which had one of the best Mexicans dishes. I though the self reflections were over, but most of the dinner with discussed about race. Who constructed this privilege word and for what reason? Why separated us from other people? Feel free to comment down below about this topic. The conversation was “muy picante”, I did not contributed to the conversation a lot, but I did listen to their points that were crashing in a good way. Some points made some cry, harsh words, but honest thoughts. I always find it hard to jump in conversation without some sort of raising my hand or waiting for a pause, because it a continues talk without pauses. By the time I also wanted to said something, the point has been said that why I don’t really feel bad of not contributing. At the end, the waiters brought the surprised cake with “las mananitas” song track on the background and some extra sound makers to make it rowdy. The cake was not so much a surprise, because he choose it but the music was.

To conclude the Guatemala trip, I want to share this poem which I inspired to write when leaving Nueva Alianza. It was a farm two hours away from the Guatemala-Mexico border, and I had a strong sudden attachment to the scene when we drove by. Although I could not react fast enough to take a picture, I decided to write this poem dedicating to that view and the history hidden behind the country.

I am on the van

Looking at something, at somewhere.

I have no focal point,

Because everything were an instant.

I have no emotion, no sensation, and no acknowledgement,

Of struggles the Guatemalans suffered through,

Because everything were an instant.

I only see their smile and their colorful constumes,

Everything seemed very curious to me.

The instant views, I questioned,

Is that the real Guatemala I suppose to share

With others who never been there before?

I questioned myself, and closed the window on the van.

The views starts to pass through slower.

Under the black window, i see the complexities of the country:

The influence of colonization, the thirty-six-year internal conflict,

The disappearance, the genocide trial, the land struggles, the lack of education,

Ten days have gone by very fast and it has reached to the last portion of the trip, Antigua. Although I was not able to avoid feeling guilty when enjoying the material life at Antigua, I was still attracted by the colorful walls and the antique buildings. While on the street, I began to think about my privilege and all the presentations during the trip. I also observed the actions and emotions of other tourists. I learned that while I took many pictures “every other second” like a tourist, my perception have changed when I look at the Guatemalans.

Last night at the restaurant and today at the market place, I saw many traveling with their families or as a study group. Their smile reminded me the tourist billboards I mentioned on my first post; they came to Guatemala to relax, to buy pretty souvenirs at the lowest price, and to enjoy all types of luxury goods. In comparison to Guatemala City (except zone 10), Antigua definitely has more fancy restaurants and stores to shop, in which, a tourist would not be able to understand the current condition of the country. When I was wandering, however, I began to ask myself if the people begging for money on the street are deported migrants trying to gather money to return home. Or if the vendors in their indigenous costumes used to live with their indigenous tribes but are separated now due to resources exploitation and the internal conflict?

After all the informal conversations and presentations from the speakers and the drivers, I have a different view about Guatemala. In the future, I will not visit a country only for my joy, I will also try to understand the history, the struggles, and the outlook of that country.

Last day in Guatemala. We spent the day touring Antigua. Jason and I roamed the markets and shopped like crazy. I bought a Brazil jersey with Neymar’s name and number, fake RayBans, an jewelry for someone I love very much.

The day was free for us. We didn’t have any speakers or visits.

At the end of the day, we met for a final reflection. We all spoke to each other on a one-on-one basis. We told each other what we appreciate the most of the other; it got very emotional. I enjoyed this reflection due to the honesty that was thrown around – it fortified our friendships and consolidated the relationships we built.

To finalize the day, we had dinner at a Mexican restaurant in honor of our last night and Jonathan’s birthday.

I would like to add that, Antigua is just as cool as Xela – I don’t know which one I liked the most!!!